Balancing Screen Time for Kids

At Kayfield Academy, we understand the challenges of modern technology and how it can be used to both educate and entertain preschoolers and young children.

As a parent, it’s hard to know how much screen time is too much for your kids. On one hand, screens help keep our kids entertained and engaged. But on the other hand, no one wants their child to be glued to a device all day! So how can you balance screen time in your household?

Creating Screen-Time Bounds

Kayfield Academy knows the first step in balancing screen time for kids is to set boundaries. Decide when it’s appropriate for your children to use screens and when it’s not. For example, set clear rules about devices at the dinner table or during family movie nights. Establishing these boundaries from an early age will help your children manage their own screen time as they get older.

Be Present During Screen Time

When you do allow your children to use screens, it is a good idea that you are present and involved with them. Ask questions about what they’re watching or playing, and provide guidance when needed. This can help you ensure that your children are using their screens responsibly and safely. It also gives you the opportunity to teach them important lessons about digital citizenship—such as being kind online and avoiding cyberbullying—while keeping them engaged with the content they’re consuming. At Kayfield Academy, we monitor all screen time, and we plan all screen activities around a learning lesson.

Set an Example

Finally, remember that children learn by example! If they see their parents constantly attached to phones and tablets throughout the day, then they’ll likely do the same thing themselves. Make sure that you limit your own screen time so that you can be a good model for healthy habits around technology use. And if possible, try to find ways of being active together as a family—like taking regular walks outside or playing board games together—so that everyone gets away from screens regularly! At Kayfield Academy, we monitor teachers and learning assistants to ensure they are not using devices/screen time for personal reasons during working hours.

Conclusion:

Balancing screen time isn’t easy; it takes patience, discipline, and effort on behalf of both parents and kids alike. But with some careful planning and intentional guidance around technology use in the home, parents can help ensure that their children are using screens responsibly while still enjoying all of the benefits of technology! At Kayfield Academy, we know that with a few simple steps like creating boundaries around screen time usage and setting a good example yourself, you can give kids the tools they need to manage technology in a healthy way—and have some fun doing it too!